Raw Farm Recalls Raw Cheddar Cheese Linked to E. Coli Outbreak ‘Under Protest’

Raw Farm is recalling its raw cheddar cheese “under protest” following two recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remove products from shelves that are linked to a multistate E. coli outbreak.

“This voluntary recall is being performed under protest,” Raw Farm said in a company announcement April 2. “This voluntary recall is performed as a path forward.”

The company asserts that no pathogens have been found in its cheese products, and it “continues to contest the epidemiological links provided by the FDA.”

The FDA continues to investigate the outbreak, which has sickened nine people, more than half of them children under 5, and hospitalized three. One person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. 

Cases have been reported in California, Florida and Texas, with onset dates ranging from Sept. 1, 2025, to Feb. 20, 2026.

FDA initiated an onsite inspection and sample collection at Raw Farm in Fresno, Calif., in coordination with state partners. Sample analysis is ongoing. At this time, the agency said it is not aware of any positive samples. If there are any positive test results, they will be reported as they become available, the agency said.

State and local public health officials are interviewing people or their caregivers about foods consumed in the week before illness onset. Of the eight people interviewed, all reported consuming or being served raw dairy products. Seven reported consuming Raw Farm-brand dairy products, and one person reported drinking raw milk but did not know the brand, said FDA.

In 2026, five people reported consuming Raw Farm-brand raw cheddar cheese. In 2025, two sick people reported consuming Raw Farm-brand raw milk. Affected raw milk from 2025 should no longer be on the market, said FDA. 

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of E. coli isolates from ill people shows the strains are all closely related genetically, indicating a likely common source of infection, said FDA.

Recalled items, batch numbers and barcodes can be found here.